What is the primary function of activated carbon filters in water treatment?

Activated carbon filters play a crucial role in water treatment primarily through their ability to remove taste and odor from water. This is achieved due to the porous structure of activated carbon, which has a large surface area that allows it to adsorb a wide variety of organic compounds, chemicals, and impurities that contribute to undesirable tastes and odors in drinking water.

The process of adsorption occurs when these contaminants adhere to the surface of the carbon particles, effectively reducing their concentration in the water. This makes the water more palatable for consumers and enhances its overall quality.

Other options, such as increasing the water's pH level, providing essential minerals, or filtering out bacteria and viruses, do not align with the primary function of activated carbon filters. While some filters might be designed to improve water quality in those ways, activated carbon is particularly renowned for its effectiveness in addressing taste and odor issues.